Is Methyl Benzoylformate safe in cosmetics?
Methyl Benzoylformate has a safety rating of "MODERATE" in our database. EU status: prohibited. US status: permitted. 1 toxicological study endpoint(s) are available in our database.
Methyl Benzoylformate
Also known as: EINECS 239-263-3, Phenylglyoxylic acid, methyl ester, UNII-23F2045STG, alpha-oxobenzeneacetic acid methyl ester
INCI: METHYL BENZOYLFORMATE
Methyl Benzoylformate (CAS 15206-55-0) is a cosmetic cosmetic ingredient functioning as UV absorber in cosmetics; primarily known as a photoinitiator in industrial. NOAEL 1000 mg/kg bw/day (cross-referenced against ToxValDB ECHA IUCLID); EU Regulation 1223/2009 status: prohibited. Industrial safety data is also available in the chemical safety database. Same-CAS public records also appear in industrial chemical safety data.
View industrial chemical safety profile for CAS 15206-55-0 →
Auto-generated CPSR Part A draft with source citations
Cross-Vertical Regulatory Divergence
Methyl Benzoylformate is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H315, H317, H319, H335).
Source: Cosmetics: ingredients.eu_status; Chemicals: ghs_classifications.signal_word/hazard_statement_code
Function
UV absorber in cosmetics; primarily known as a photoinitiator in industrial UV-curing applications
Safety Rating
MODERATE
Chemistry & Identifiers
IUPAC Name
methyl 2-oxo-2-phenylacetate
InChIKey
YLHXLHGIAMFFBU-UHFFFAOYSA-N
Regulatory Status
EU EU Status
prohibited
US US Status
permitted
US Notes
Allowed - no prohibition; not a listed OTC sunscreen active
For full compliance data across multiple jurisdictions, use the Substance Compliance tool.
Safety Data
Margin of Safety, dermal absorption, and sensitization profile summaries for Methyl Benzoylformate.
Calculate MoS for your specific formulation with the MoS Calculator.
Toxicological Studies
1 study endpoint found for Methyl Benzoylformate. NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) values are used to calculate the Margin of Safety per SCCS methodology.
| Endpoint | Value | Route | Species | Study Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NOAEL | =1000 mg/kg bw/day | oral | Rat | short-term | ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID |
Pre-Calculated Safety Assessment
Pre-calculated NOAEL → SED → MoS audit trail for Methyl Benzoylformate across SCCS product categories, with measured dermal absorption where available.
ECHA REACH Registration
European Chemicals Agency REACH dossier and Substances of Very High Concern listing.
Registration Type
Full
Tonnage Band
100 - 1,000 tonnes
Substance Type
SUBSTANCE
SVHC Candidate
No
Function Categories & List Membership
Cosmetic/Chemical Function Categories
Catalyst
Photosensitizers
Softener and conditioner
Expert Verdict
Expert safety assessment and concern-level summary for Methyl Benzoylformate.
Regulatory Flags
potential-allergen
NOAEL Studies Summary
View details ->Public NOAEL study rows linked to Methyl Benzoylformate by CAS number or substance name.
Studies
1
Lowest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
Highest NOAEL
1000 mg/kg bw/day
ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID
Known Synonyms
EINECS 239-263-3
Phenylglyoxylic acid, methyl ester
UNII-23F2045STG
alpha-oxobenzeneacetic acid methyl ester
Chemical Function
Softener and conditioner
Photosensitizers
Catalyst
Australian Status
AICIS status: listed
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Methyl Benzoylformate allowed in the EU?
Methyl Benzoylformate EU regulatory status: prohibited. This is based on EU Regulation 1223/2009 and its amendments.
What does Methyl Benzoylformate do in cosmetics?
Methyl Benzoylformate functions as: UV absorber in cosmetics; primarily known as a photoinitiator in industrial UV-curing applications. It is classified as a cosmetic ingredient in our database. CAS number: 15206-55-0.
What is the NOAEL for Methyl Benzoylformate?
The NOAEL (No Observed Adverse Effect Level) for Methyl Benzoylformate is =1000 mg/kg bw/day based on a short-term study via oral route in Rat. Source: ToxValDB_ECHA_IUCLID.
Is Methyl Benzoylformate used outside cosmetics?
Methyl Benzoylformate also appears in industrial chemical safety data. The cross-vertical cards on this page render same-CAS public rows from the matched databases.
Does Methyl Benzoylformate have different safety status in cosmetics vs industrial chemicals?
Methyl Benzoylformate is prohibited in EU cosmetics but has active industrial GHS classifications (H315, H317, H319, H335).
Compliance Tools
Check Methyl Benzoylformate compliance across multiple jurisdictions:
Ingredient Decoder
Paste a full ingredient list for instant analysis
82 Allergen Checker
Check for EU declarable fragrance allergens
Substance Compliance
Check compliance across multiple jurisdictions
MoS Calculator
Calculate Margin of Safety using SCCS methodology
Heavy Metal Limits
Compare limits across jurisdictions
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